Embracing the Cold

Chapter 50

Huminga siya nang malalim at nakita ko ang takas ng isang luha sa mata niya na mabilis niyang pinalis.

"Dito lang ako, sayo, kung saan ka." he whispered. Yumuko siya at nagtama ang mga mata namin. I looked away. My heart started to race. Lumayo siya nang ilang distansya, giving me space. "Dito lang ako but it doesn't mean I would take advantage of our distance, I'm sorry." Nadismaya ako nang lumayo siya pero hindi ako desperada para ipakita iyon.

"Hailey asked where were you," pag-iiba ko sa topic. Lumapit ako sa kama at sa dulo doon umupo.

"She probably knows." Sumunod siya sa akin at umupo sa gilid ko, still a distance between us.

Nilingon ko siya, he was already staring at me. "Nagpaalam ka?" I asked.

Umiling siya, still looking at me. "No. I already told her that I'll be pursuing you again." He sincerely said.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. "You should talk."

"We will talk before she goes home." sagot niya.

"How about Melis?" matagal na ito sa isipan ko. For once, gusto kong pakinggan siya.

Ayaw ko ang buhay ko kung wala siya. I was miserable. Kahit may masasaktan, patawad, pero bahala na. I'll take the risk again.

"I told her to stay out of my life after she kissed me in the parking lot, that night."

Nilingon ko siya, nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin. He is really so handsome. Magiging kamukha niya kaya ang anak namin? I hope so. Okay lang din kung kamukha ko pero sana may maliit na Bryce din.. pinamulahan ako ng mukha sa mga iniisip. Mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin. Maghunos-dili ka, Quishanette!

"I was in the company that night. I didn't lie when I said there was a problem. Melis called and told me she was around the corner and got very important information from her mother related to Burgos. I didn't tell her about Burgos but I guess she realized what I was up to. I told her to just send it to me but she said it should be in person and that she's just around the condo," he paused and waited for my reaction. I just stared at him but looked away when I remember how I felt that night.. that very night. I heard him took a deep breath and continued. "I went inside her car and she handed me some photos of her mom and Burgos. I know it wasn't enough and I told her to stop already and we should stop seeing each other from that day onwards. I know how you felt about Melis. She just laughed at that and suddenly kissed me out of nowhere. I swear it didn't even reach a second I pushed her so hard she almost fell.." tila naninimbang ang reaksyon niya. I believed him. That's so Bryce. I saw how he treated some of the girls who liked him at school when he was courting me. There were times when I heard rumors about him being mean to girls  who liked him when he was just courting me. There were rumors and I didn't ask him about that. Now I think I can confirm those were all true. One time, Kessi told me Bryce ignored a girl who handed her a love letter and chocolates like he didn't even give a glance. I just shrugged at that.

I smiled at him. "You don't have to explain, I believe you. I also know Melis liked you since college."

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "I just want you to know what happened that night and I never cheated on you."

"I know, Bryce. I'm sorry."

"Alright. We'll talk about it when you're okay. For now, you have to rest first." he smiled. It was as if that was the first time I saw him smile, I stared at him for a long time. He is just very attractive.

I wonder, if I had just listened to him, hindi ko sana naranasan ang mga sakit the past months. Wala sanang Hailey at wala sanang masasaktan sa desisyon kong ito.

"I'm sure you didn't believe I'm pregnant, right?" I chuckled at my own question.

"I was so desperate that I wish you were pregnant, Quish. But I know you are not pregnant, your calendar period is saved on my phone." he sincerely said. I just laughed at that.